Talking point

Nice pen.' Two words, but in Steven Zaillian's recent remake of Patricia Highsmith's The Talented Mr Ripley, weighty with symbolism.

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With its satisfyingly rich feel, glossy good looks and authoritative associations, the black resin pen that Tom Ripley had just stolen from his friend is a Montblanc Meisterstück, easily identified by its white 'star' top. And, as the deceptive Ripley knows, that pen, instantly recognizable by the concierge of an opulent Italian hotel, is a passport to a new, rarefied world.

While apparently unintended, the pen's appearance throughout the series is a fitting tribute to an object now in its 100th year.

The Meisterstück pen was born in Hamburg, when the house traded under its original, supremely art deco name: Simplo. The name Montblanc, 'the highest peak in the Alps', reflecting the brand's dedication to achieving peak quality, came when Simplo realised its simple black 'safety' pen was a hit. Cleverly engineered to prevent ink spillage while tucked in an office manager's suit pocket, it had become a cult hit with customers, who requested a deluxe design edition for use on 'Sundays. The summit had been reached.